New UN Sex Crimes: Liberia

Evidence that UN peacekeepers are raping and sexually exploiting minors is continuing, despite UN efforts to curb the sexual perversion of its peacekeepers. Who is surprised?

Here's the statement from today's UN press briefing:

This past week, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations received information concerning a number of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel serving with the UN mission in Liberia. The allegations range from the exchange of goods, money or services for sex to the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Preliminary investigations under way by the Mission have indicated that some of the allegations have been substantiated, while others have not. The Peacekeeping Department here in New York, as well as the Mission on the ground, are taking appropriate follow-up action. The Peacekeeping Department has been in touch with the relevant troop-contributing countries to inform them of the allegations and to seek their full cooperation.

The United Nations treats this issue with the utmost seriousness. And, as we continue to clamp down on misconduct throughout all peacekeeping missions, it is likely that the number of allegations will increase. While the information we have received is still preliminary, as in some cases, the Peacekeeping Department can be contacted directly for further information.

Under mild questioning, the spokesperson refused to release any additional information. His statement that allegations will increase certainly deserved probing by the reporters present, but they were in an oil-for-food frenzy and didn't ask.